Ryan unveils House GOP budget claiming balance

ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 2, 2014 12:01 AM

ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 2, 2014 12:01 AM

WASHINGTON -- House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan unveiled an updated Republican budget plan Tuesday that would slash $5.1 trillion in federal spending over the coming decade and promises to balance the government's books by making wide-ranging cuts in programs like food stamps, Medicaid and government-paid health care for the poor and working class.

Ryan's plan would also cut Pell Grants for low-income students and pensions for federal workers. The proposal would reprise a voucherlike Medicare program for future retirees that would be the basis for GOP claims that the measure would drive down government debt over the long term. It also relies on scorekeeping help from the Congressional Budget Office, reflecting the beneficial effects of deficit cuts on long-term economic growth and tax revenues.

The plan should skate through the Budget Committee on Wednesday but faces challenges on the floor next week since it endorses a bipartisan pact -- negotiated by Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, D-Wash., in December -- to increase agency operating budgets this year and next.